TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. CT.
The match airs globally on Apple TV (MLS Season Pass), with local radio options including English on Fox Sports 1360 and Spanish on La Mega 101.5 FM. It is Fan Appreciation Night for Cincinnati.
Venue and Weather
TQL Stadium (Cincinnati, OH; soccer-specific venue with a capacity of about 26,000). Forecast for Saturday: Partly cloudy with highs around 51–55°F (11–13°C), lows near 38°F (3°C), light northwest winds (5–10 mph), and dry conditions with low precipitation chances. Patchy frost possible in the morning; cool but suitable for play.
Current Records and Standings
Nashville SC: 22-3-8 (around 74 points after recent results), first in the Eastern Conference (some reports noted Western earlier in the season, but current context places them as East leaders/Shield winners). Dominant season with a massive goal difference (roughly +44), Supporters’ Shield already secured, and chasing the all-time MLS single-season points record. Unbeaten at home all year.
FC Cincinnati: 12-11-10 (46 points), around 6th–7th in the Eastern Conference. Playoff-clinched; fighting for seeding (avoiding the wild-card round or improving home advantage). Strong home record (9-4-3).
This is the second meeting of 2026; Nashville won the first 4-0 at home in late August.
Recent Form
Nashville SC: Excellent late-season form. Recent results include a dramatic 3-2 home comeback win over New York Red Bulls (Nov. 1), 0-0 draw vs. Philadelphia Union, 2-0 win at CF Montréal, and strong earlier wins. Unbeaten in a long stretch; nine-game unbeaten run noted in previews. Elite defense and attack.
FC Cincinnati: Positive momentum with a 1-0 home shutout of Philadelphia Union (Oct. 31, clinching playoffs), 2-2 draw at Inter Miami, and wins over D.C. United. Mixed earlier results but solid at home and unbeaten in recent outings.
Injury Reports
FC Cincinnati: Multiple defensive absences—Tyrell Malacia (ankle/leg), Julián Malatini (leg/thigh), Miles Robinson (leg), and Teenage Hadebe (hamstring or recent issue; status fluid, hoped for fitness in some reports). Nick Hagglund also listed as injured in AP notes. Key attackers like Kévin Denkey and Evander expected available.
Nashville SC: Relatively clean. Famara Camara and Owen Presthus listed as out/injured in some reports; otherwise full strength expected for stars like Sam Surridge, Hany Mukhtar, and Cristian Espinoza.
Current Rosters / Expected Key Players and Predicted Lineups
FC Cincinnati (coach Pat Noonan; often 3-5-2 or similar): Goalkeeper Roman Celentano; defenders Nick Hagglund, Teenage Hadebe (if fit), Kyle Smith, Bryan Ramírez, Alvas Powell, Miles Robinson (if available); midfielders Obinna Nwobodo, Pavel Bucha, Evander, Samuel Gidi, Gerardo Valenzuela; attackers Kévin Denkey, Tom Barlow, Kenji Mboma Dem, Ayoub Jabbari.
Predicted XI examples: Celentano; Smith, Hagglund, Hadebe; Mboma Dem/Gidi, Bucha, Nwobodo, Evander, Ramírez; Barlow, Denkey.
Nashville SC (coach B.J. Callaghan; typically 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2): Goalkeeper Brian Schwake (or Joe Willis); defenders Andy Najar, Maxwell Woledzi, Jeisson Palacios, Daniel Lovitz, Reed Baker-Whiting, Jack Maher; midfielders Cristian Espinoza, Edvard Tagseth, Patrick Yazbek, Alex Muyl, Bryan Acosta, Matthew Corcoran; attackers Sam Surridge, Hany Mukhtar, Elias Saad, Warren Madrigal, Ahmed Qasem.
Predicted XI examples: Schwake; Najar, Palacios, Woledzi, Lovitz; Espinoza, Yazbek/Tagseth, Muyl; Mukhtar/Surridge, with supporting attackers.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Sam Surridge / Hany Mukhtar (NSH, ~19 and high goal totals) vs. Cincinnati back line (Celentano, Hagglund/Hadebe/Smith): Surridge is a clinical finisher; Mukhtar is the creative engine and MVP candidate. Cincinnati’s depleted defense faces a major test against Nashville’s elite attack.
Kévin Denkey / Evander / Tom Barlow (CIN) vs. Nashville midfield/defense (Woledzi, Palacios, Schwake, Tagseth/Yazbek): Denkey (~17 goals) is Cincinnati’s main threat; Evander provides creativity and goals. Nashville’s organized, low-concession defense will look to neutralize them.
Midfield battle: Cristian Espinoza and Nashville’s creators vs. Obinna Nwobodo, Pavel Bucha, and Evander—control of the center will dictate tempo.
Goalkeeper duel: Roman Celentano (CIN) vs. Brian Schwake (NSH)—both capable of big saves in high-stakes games.
Series History
Competitive rivalry between the expansion clubs. Recent H2H includes Nashville’s 4-0 home win earlier in 2026. Broader results are relatively even (roughly balanced wins and draws in recent years), with home advantage often mattering. Nashville has the upper hand this season.
Betting Trends
Nashville’s overwhelming season form, attack, and Shield status contrast with Cincinnati’s home strength and recent results. Both sides score freely at times; high total possible given attacks, though Nashville’s defense is elite. Decision Day stakes (seeding for CIN; points record for NSH) elevate intensity.
MATCH ODDS
Nashville SC + 148
FC Cincinnati + 158
Draw + 286
Over 3.5 + 104 Under 3.5 – 137
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, November 6, 2026
